Day Dreams.

I have lain all through the halcyon morn,
Upon a grassy cliff above the sea,
Where white gulls sing their ancient songs forlorn,
And skylarks carol on unceasingly,
And scents of gorse and manuka are borne
Upon the little soft, sea-winds to me.

Yet I have been across the world away,
Where, bright beyond a strange, fantastic quay,
A white town floats upon a blue, blue bay,
And weary, battered ships, spent with the sea,
Sail in to haven for a happy day,
And deep-voiced sailors swagger when they see
The slow, brown glance of girls—and wish to stay.

Oh, I have been across the world away,
Roaming the hot streets of a foreign town,
And, dreaming by the drowsy, palm-fringed bay,
Have heard a lilting tune come drifting down,
And seen a lissom girl with laughter gay,
Dance to its music, in a crimson gown.
I have lain all through the halcyon summer morn
Upon a grassy cliff above the sea.

—Hazel Dunn.

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